More than 1,200 expected for Campus Classic

Oct. 19, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- Runners and walkers from around the nation are
expected for this year's WMU Homecoming Campus Classic. The annual
race, which debuted last fall with nearly 850 entrants, had a
better than 45 percent increase in early registrations over the
1999 figures when race officials finished their mid-week tabulations,
Oct. 18.

Runners and walkers may register and pick up their race materials
from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, and Friday, Oct.
20, on the second floor of Walwood Hall at the corner of Oakland
Dr. and Austin St. Those already registered may also pick up
their race materials on Thursday and Friday evening at Walwood.

Registration on race day opens at 7:30 a.m. on the main floor
of the Bernhard Center.

This year's anticipated number of entries will make the Campus
Classic one of West Michigan's largest running events. Early
registrations include the names of entrants from California,
Texas, North Dakota, Florida and Georgia.

Entries include a number of student teams from WMU, Kalamazoo
and Portage (Mich.) Public Schools. Corporate teams represent
several area firms. There is even a team representing one of
this fall's political candidates.

The event, designed to showcase the campus and offer community
members another opportunity to take part in WMU's annual Homecoming
celebration, features a 1K kid's fun run and 1K fun walk at 8:30
a.m. and a 5K run and 5K fun walk at 9 a.m. Runners and walkers
will take off from the Bernhard Center and follow courses through
the WMU campus. More than 120 campus and community volunteers
will be helping the race crew by serving as course marshals,
assisting in late registration and timing, and serving refreshments.

For more information, visit the Campus Classic Web site <www.wmich.edu/race>
or call the Office of University Relations, 616 387-8400.